Reporting from Washington—
A Marine and a Navy medic killed by a U.S. drone airstrike were targeted when Marine commanders in Afghanistan mistook them for Taliban fighters, even though analysts watching the Predator's video feed were uncertain whether the men were part of an enemy force.

Those are the findings of a Pentagon investigation of the first known case of friendly fire deaths involving an unmanned aircraft, the April 6 attack that killed Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith, 26, and Navy Hospitalman Benjamin D. Rast, 23.

Yes ,we will be at war forever , as will everyone else .
All killing machines are the same , whether artillery , aircraft , or whatever, some more effective in certain circumstance ,than others .
The difference lies in how they are used--controlled . Too many innocents hit in these type wars can be worse than any benefit gained { in the military sense }.
Its all about winning , and those with best strategy , tactics , and weapons win, assuming popular support ,as well as other factors .

Whacking friendly's , just goes with war , always has , always will . Always failures and confusion in conflict , as well as cold murder, rape , and so on .
Many ways to look at remote weapons {the fastest growing battlefield tech}. No choice but to give our soldiers every advantage in technical way , and not expect no mistakes ,,,, or that it is not organized murder either . >f

Wars aren't about technology. They used to be about territorial gains, but no longer. Now they are about ideological doctrines. The Age of Empires may be over but some nations still aspire to one.

Well , I do agree that wars are not about technology, its just a extremely important tool for waging it .

Wars are for the most part , about territory and natural resources --IMO .
True that ideological doctrine may be a important part of some conflict but usually it is used as a cover for other interests .
When I studied Iran's history , this became apparent . It appears to ideological driven problem , but when you look back on it ,it is much more rational . Little different objectives from the Shah , to today { except for threats and boasts }.Its almost a Israeli mentality { less territory conquest }. A nation in a sea of potential enemies . Arabs , the west , the old Soviet , and even Israel , Religious doctrine is put at front, that is all we hear about . No territorial ambitions beyond the waterways . The military procurement , and make up of forces is defensive in nature , not something designed to conquer new territory .

China { Communist } is another example . Driven not by ideological engine , but national interest . China does aspire to be a world power {empire if you will } , and more importantly , to dominate all of Asia . Territorial ambitions , and natural resources are up front and obvious . All they do is preparation for achieving that goal . They know without doubt , they face no threats from west or their neighbors . That is reason for the offensive military buildup , including logistics for movement . Make no mistake by looking a budgets , what they are investing in , is relative inexpensive and smart -- big bang for the buck !. .
They have made Pakistan their #1 partner , and again , for no religious or ideological purpose , purely strategic .
A look at the map makes it clear what their aims are , and who it is directed at .
I see immediate desire of China for territorial conquest , and its at sea . Natural resources in South China sea , energy resources . Its already a growing issue , and has resulted in disputes with neighbors , as well as the U.S. Navy . Commander of Pacific Fleet Willard { U.S. } has made it plain as possible without getting political attack from Washington .
It is the biggest threat the U.S. has or will face -IMO .

So , I do agree , but with reservations about "territorial gains " or better put , resources . >f

In Kabul, the children are everywhere. You see them scrounging through trash. You see them doing manual labor in the auto body shops, the butchers, and the construction sites. They carry teapots and glasses from shop to shop. You see them moving through the snarled traffic swirling small pots of pungent incense, warding off evil spirits and trying to collect small change. They can be found sleeping in doorways or in the rubble of destroyed buildings. It is estimated that 70,000 children live on the streets of Kabul.

WASHINGTON – All U.S. troops will leave Iraq by Jan. 1, formally ending the war that began more than eight-and-a-half years ago and has taken more than 4,400 American lives, President Obama said today.